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Summer Camps

Summer Camps

June 13–August 19, 2016 — Lawrence Hall of Science camps were a great place to spend the summer. Where else could you build a wobbling robot, see how a chinchilla takes a bath, and visit the stars? Campers got inspired to explore, build, and create with new friends and cool tools!

Thanks for a great Summer!

Summer Camp registration is currently closed. Thank you to all the campers, educators, and parents who helped make this summer so much fun.

We offer a wide variety of half-day and full-day camps, as well as an overnight research camp for older kids. Check back in January 2017 for full camp listings. To see examples of camps for your child, select their entering grade below:

Age 4–Age 5

Animal Homes

Enrollment: 12 campers

In trees, under the ground, and in ponds…animal homes are all around us! Campers hold gentle animals from the Animal Discovery Room—such as rabbits, birds, frogs, and snakes—and learn about their nesting, eating, and defensive behaviors. They explore the Hall’s backyard areas to look for clues about the animals that live there.

July 11–15 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 25–July 29 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies

Enrollment: 12 campers

Did you know that there are more than a million kinds of insects? Learn to recognize some insect friends—and enemies!—of your garden, and follow their life cycles from egg to adult. Their shapes, color patterns, behavior, and growth will amaze you. We’ll watch insects crawl, hop, fly, wiggle, and scurry; and we might even let some tickle us!

July 5–8 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Dinosaur Detectives

Enrollment: 12 campers

A hundred million years ago, dinosaurs wandered the Earth. What were these ancient creatures like, and how do they compare to animals alive today? Dig for fossil bones, use toy models to make footprints in clay, act out dinosaur stories, and make dino-projects to take home. Compare dinosaurs to modern-day animals, and try to unlock some of prehistory’s mysteries.

June 20–24 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 18–22 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Fizzy, Foamy Camp

Enrollment: 12 campers

Campers investigate foamy foods and bubbling solutions, and discover the wild fizzing action that happens when they mix safe chemicals together. They experiment with exciting chemistry activities that develop important skills for later science learning. This camp provides bubbly, foamy fun for everyone!

June 20–24 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 1–5 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 15–19 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

My Sky Tonight

Enrollment: 12 campers

Explore the wonders of space with interactive games, activities, and investigations. Build a rover to explore distant worlds, gear up for a “trip” to the Moon, and learn about patterns in the sky. How is Earth different from other planets? What makes day and night? What tools do we use to investigate other worlds? Young astronomers will have a chance to observe with binoculars, participate in interactive Planetarium shows, and discover the wonders of both the day and night sky.

June 13–17 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

June 27–July 1 Full
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

August 15–19 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Playing with Potions

Enrollment: 12 campers

Do you like mixing ingredients together to make potions? Then this is the camp for you! But wait—our cupboards are empty. First, we must collect and sort ingredients by using scientific tools. Then, using the ingredients we collect, we’ll create our own potion recipes. Experiment, observe, discover, and play!

July 25–July 29 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–12
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Pollywog Pond

Enrollment: 12 campers

Learn how various pond animals live together, and discover the wonders of their wet world. Observe, compare, care for, and even hold some pond animals of the Animal Discovery Room, such as crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, turtles, and salamanders. Use your creativity and new knowledge to make a big book of pond life.

June 27–July 1 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 1–5
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 8–12
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Storybook Science

Enrollment: 12 campers

Time for a story—and science, too! Each day a new story sets the stage for fun activities and investigations that spark campers’ curiosity and creativity. Experimenting with light and shadow, exploring nature, and handling live animals are integrated with children’s literature, as well as with math, art, and drama.

Entering Grades K–1

Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies

Enrollment: 12 campers

Did you know that there are more than a million kinds of insects? Learn to recognize some insect friends—and enemies!—of your garden, and follow their life cycles from egg to adult. Their shapes, color patterns, behavior, and growth will amaze you. We’ll watch insects crawl, hop, fly, wiggle, and scurry; and we might even let some tickle us!

July 5–8
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 18–22
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Dinosaur Detectives

Enrollment: 12 campers

A hundred million years ago, dinosaurs wandered the Earth. What were these ancient creatures like, and how do they compare to animals alive today? Dig for fossil bones, use toy models to make footprints in clay, act out dinosaur stories, and make dino-projects to take home. Compare dinosaurs to modern-day animals, and try to unlock some of prehistory’s mysteries.

June 13–17 Full
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

June 20–24 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

July 25–29
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Fizzy, Foamy Camp

Enrollment: 12 campers

Campers investigate foamy foods and bubbling solutions, and discover the wild fizzing action that happens when they mix safe chemicals together. They experiment with exciting chemistry activities that develop important skills for later science learning. This camp provides bubbly, foamy fun for everyone!

June 13–17 Full
9:00 a.m–12:00 noon

July 25–29 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Physical Science for Curious Kids

Enrollment: 12 campers

A variety of simple games and activities introduce children to topics such as electricity, magnetism, and properties of air and light. Young scientists make kites, magnetic toys, and light circuits to take home. These activities stimulate questions in young minds and foster an intuitive framework for later science learning.

July 11–22 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–19 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Playing with Potions

Enrollment: 12 campers

Do you like mixing ingredients together to make potions? Then this is the camp for you! But wait—our cupboards are empty. First, we must collect and sort ingredients by using scientific tools. Then, using the ingredients we collect, we’ll create our own potion recipes. Experiment, observe, discover, and play!

August 1–5 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 15–19 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Pollywog Pond

Enrollment: 12 campers

Learn how various pond animals live together, and discover the wonders of their wet world. Observe, compare, care for, and even hold some pond animals of the Animal Discovery Room, such as crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, turtles, and salamanders. Use your creativity and new knowledge to make a big book of pond life.

June 27–July 1 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 1–5
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Storybook Science

Enrollment: 12 campers

Time for a story—and science, too! Each day a new story sets the stage for fun activities and investigations that spark campers’ curiosity and creativity. Experimenting with light and shadow, exploring nature, and handling live animals are integrated with children’s literature, as well as with math, art, and drama.

June 27–July 1 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 1–5
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Toy Factory

Enrollment: 12 campers

Explore your curiosity and creativity with inventions that light up, move, and make sounds. Campers will use unique materials and their imagination to discover a world of innovation. Young inventors will plan, construct, test and share their inventions as they engage in the active process of engineering design. A light-up gadget, a spinning toy, a beeping robot...what will you make? All ideas are welcome!

Entering Grades 1–2

Animal Math

Enrollment: 14 campers

How long is a boa constrictor? Who’s really faster—the tortoise or the hare? Measuring, counting, sorting, graphing, and making patterns are more fun than ever when animals come to math class! Animals’ shapes, sizes, weights, colors, and locomotion inspire creative mathematical investigations. Each day features live animals, as well as games, stories, and art projects that reinforce math concepts.

July 18–22 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 25–29 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Astronomy Adventures

Enrollment: 14 campers

Are you curious about the night sky? Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the clouds? Become a junior astronomer and explore constellations, phases of the Moon, and other mysteries of our Solar System through Planetarium visits, models, games, and crafts.

July 5–8 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Building with Bricks and Blocks

Enrollment: 14 campers

Build, test, and create. Campers learn the basics of designing and building strong structures with Duplo and LEGO®, then translate their creations into recycled material structures to take home. Stories and challenges start each day and help capture campers’ imagination. Tinkerers and budding engineers alike will enjoy creating and building together.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this site.

June 13–17
1:00–4:00 p.m.

June 27–July 1 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Construction Junction

Enrollment: 14 campers

Experiment with using various types of materials to create your own structures. How tall a tower can you erect out of straws, or blocks, or cardboard boxes? How would you design and build your very own dream house out of recycled materials? Learn about the mathematical shapes and concepts that make for strength and design, as you explore the science behind building.

June 20–24
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 5–8 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

July 11–15 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–12 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, and Otters

Enrollment: 14 campers

Learn what sea lions eat, how sea otters keep warm, and why whales sing. Examine real whale bones and whale teeth, make paper and clay animal projects to take home, and compare yourself to a life-size model of marine mammals. Hold mammals from the Animal Discovery Room, and find out what they have in common with the large animals of the sea.

Entering Grades 2–3

Art of Math

Enrollment: 16 campers

Let your creativity loose as we explore the art of mathematics! Math is more than just numbers—it’s also about shapes, patterns, and representation. Explore geometry, symmetry, and more; then use these ideas to make creative works of art. Use a variety of art supplies and building materials to prepare your own interesting mathematical art, and get inspired to make more at home. Along the way, solve a few puzzles and see how much fun it is to mix art and math.

June 27–July 1 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Blocks, Beams, and Bridges

Enrollment: 16 campers

If you love building, join us as we construct bridges and buildings with a variety of materials, including blocks of different shapes, toothpicks, and recycled materials. Find out how the Golden Gate Bridge stands up by testing a 4-foot-tall model. Experiment with strength, structure, and geometry to become a skilled apprentice builder!

June 27–July 1
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 1–5 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Creepy Crawly

Enrollment: 16 campers

Explore the mysterious lives of animals that creep through tall grass and crawl across leaves. Observe local critters from the Hall’s lawn, and explore where they make their homes. Investigate and touch insects, reptiles, and amphibians from our animal collection. Learn where spiders get the silk for their webs and enjoy a chance to safely hold a real, live hairy tarantula.

June 20–24 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 1–5
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–12
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Crime-Fighting Superheroes

Enrollment: 16 campers

Become a crime-stopping hero in our camp for junior detectives. We will learn a variety of forensic super powers, such as fingerprinting and chromatography. Then, apply your forensic powers to mysteries in our classroom. Each day we’ll practice and use our newfound abilities to help a fellow crime fighter solve a case and save the day.

July 5–8
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 1–5 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 15–19
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Mine. Craft. Design.

Enrollment: 16 campers

Bring Minecraft to life while learning about geology, geography, circuitry, math, and engineering! Campers build motorized models and other key elements from the popular Minecraft game using LEGO® bricks and other construction materials. Campers also create pixel art mosaics, design and develop board games, and participate in design challenges. Steer clear of the creepers and blazes, while using your resourcefulness, creativity, and cooperation to design the ultimate Minecraft world.

Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved by or associated with Mojang.

June 20–24 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

July 5–8 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 25–29 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Quantum Camp

Enrollment: 16 campers

Investigate some really cool science. Discover the secrets of light, color, electricity, and more by doing experiments and making projects to take home. In this camp, you’ll build a camera that uses no film, and will launch a rocket using a chemical reaction. You’ll construct a solar oven to cook a snack using the Sun! For dessert, explore the science behind making ice cream.

June 13–24
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 11–22 Full
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

August 8–19
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Secret Formulas

Enrollment: 16 campers

Have you ever wanted to invent the world’s best toothpaste or fizzy drink? Now you have the chance to mix, measure, test, and compare, in your search to discover the secret formulas used in products you buy at the store. You’ll explore properties of various ingredients and create original recipes for even something like sticky solid glue to take home.

July 11–15
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 18–22
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 25–29
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Watery Worlds Camp

Enrollment: 16 campers

Dip your toes into the many worlds of water! Investigate various aquatic habitats, from the rocky and sandy shores to wetlands and ponds. Explore what makes these watery habitats so different and find out what life is like in these ecosystems. Learn about aquatic animals and plants, and things that look like plants. Handle shore animals and discover the many special ways in which they live in their dynamic homes.

Entering Grades 4–5

Chem-Artistry

Enrollment: 16 campers

Get creative with chemistry and artistry as you discover which ingredients you can use to make your own art supplies. As a scientist, make and experiment with paints, tie-dye, marbleizing techniques, and more; then, as an artist, use those materials to design your creations. Discover which liquids to use to make a plaster cast of your face, called a “life mask.” Experiment with acids and bases to make an array of colors from cabbage juice. Show off your creations in an art show on the final day.

June 13–24
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Cool Technology

Enrollment: 16 campers

Experience a summer camp that wasn’t even physically possible when your parents were kids! Learn how to write your own computer programs, how to attach bananas to a computer to create music, and how lights can illuminate signs. You’ll also get the opportunity to build and design a number of contraptions that are technologically simple, nowadays, yet still totally cool.

July 25–August 5
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Creature Camp

Enrollment: 16 campers

Join us in creature camp, where you will interact with the animals of our Animal Discovery Room. Everything from rabbits to chinchillas, doves to lizards, and turtles to toads will fill your camp day as you get to know these animals and learn how we all share Earth as our home. Discover animal adaptations and learn how the creatures survive in their own habitat. Become a scientist who investigates animal behavior, and work with the animals every day.

June 27–July 8; no camp Monday, July 4
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Eco Explorations

Enrollment: 16 campers

Campers explore local aquatic and terrestrial environments in the classroom and the outdoors surrounding Lawrence Hall of Science. We will get to know intertidal, pond, desert, and forest ecosystems, through working with live animals and plants. Campers will also become environmental doctors by collecting samples and conducting tests to assess an ecosystem’s health.

July 5–July 8; no camp Monday, July 4
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–12
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Engineering Zone

Enrollment: 16 campers

Put on your hard hat and enter the exciting worlds of civil, structural, and mechanical engineering as we build a city from the ground up. Learn about the benefits of renewable energy as you harness the sun and wind to power your working city. Examine the ecological impacts of water engineering, then test your city’s ability to retain storm water, prevent flooding, and capture pollutants. From hydraulic-powered bridges to solar-powered stop lights, engineer the city of your dreams.

July 11–22 Full
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Geology Camp

Enrollment: 16 campers

Get to know the Earth, from its tiny rock crystals to its massive, ever-changing crust. Create and explore models that illustrate the physical processes responsible for earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of three types of rock that make up Earth’s crust. Step into the dusty shoes of a geologist in this camp!

August 15–19
1:00–4:00 p.m.

LEGO® Engineering

Enrollment: 16 campers

Discover your inner engineer as you design, build, and create with LEGO! In this class you will build simple machines with levers, pulleys, gears, and wheels, and then explore ways to use them to solve challenges and do the work for you. You can use your new engineering skills to combine these simple machines and to build your own creation.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this site.

June 27–July 1
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 18–22
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Maker’s Design Lab

Enrollment: 16 campers

Get your “make on” with this fun, hands-on exploration of tech arts. Learn about electrical circuits by designing circuit cards, LED origami, and wearable circuits. Work with conductive materials to construct cool projects, accessories, and other wearable objects that glow, make noise, or move.

Entering Grades 5–7

Animation

Enrollment: 15 campers

Create, then animate! Learn animation basics with simple paper flip-books and zoetropes, then move on to more complex stop-motion and computer animation. Work with friends to create a story and make it come to life with clay and paper, cameras and computers.

June 27–July 8; no camp Monday, July 4
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–19
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Build It Up, Take It Apart

Enrollment: 16 campers

How would you design a bridge or a skyscraper? What can you figure out from looking inside a printer or a speaker? In this camp, you will build and explore the inner workings of machines, devices, and structures that you use every day. Working in a team to design unique creations and solve challenges, you will practice your skills as an architect and engineer and will be amazed at what you can make…and then take apart!

July 11–22
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Electric Gadgetry

Enrollment: 16 campers

Whether your camper is a future engineer or a curious tinkerer, in this camp they will do some hands-on, minds-on work with a variety of electricity experiments and projects. Campers explore circuits and create their own gadgets, study magnets and capture their elusive fields, and learn about the relationship between electricity and magnetism by building motors and electromagnets.

June 20–24
1:00–4:00 p.m.

August 8–12
1:00–4:00 p.m.

LEGO® Technology

Enrollment: 16 campers

Students build humanoid robots, roving vehicles, and mechanical beasties of increasing complexity. Then they learn how to program their ’droids to walk, talk—and even see! And it’s all done with Mindstorms NXT, the cutting-edge robotics kit from LEGO. Take your creativity to the next level with LEGO Technology!

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this site.

Entering Middle & High School

Design It, Code It

Enrollment: 16 campers

During this 2-week camp, campers will construct an interactive playground made from games they program using Scratch and MaKey MaKey. Scratch is a visual and easy-to-learn programming language that allows anyone with big ideas to have fun. While learning computer science ideas, campers will script, run, jump, and crawl through an interactive obstacle course of their own design. They will learn the basics of programming and circuitry as they turn everyday objects into their own interactive playground.

Entering Grades 6–8
June 13–24 Cancelled
1:00–4:00 p.m.

July 11–22
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

July 25–August 5
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Designing Structures

(held on the UC Berkeley campus)

Enrollment: 20 campers

(Pricing = $600, $510 for Members)

During this all-day camp for high school students, held on the UC Berkeley campus, students will develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts behind structures and their designs. Working primarily with bridges, students complete challenges with multiple solutions, analyzing their solutions with computer software, and learning to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. Students synthesize their newfound knowledge with the final challenge of creating a roller coaster. Students also get to discover the UC Berkeley campus and learn more about what it’s like to be a college student.

Entering Grades 9–12
August 1–5
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Marine Biology Research Camp

(Overnight residential camp at UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab)

Enrollment: 19 campers Full

(pricing = $1,400, $1,250 for Members)

Discover firsthand one of the most richly diverse marine environments in the world. Develop investigation skills used in marine biology at the University of California Bodega Marine Lab, located at Bodega Bay on the Sonoma County coast, surrounded by rocky tide pools, mudflats, estuaries, coastal dunes, and sandy beaches. Students conduct research projects of their own design with guidance from Hall instructors and scientists. Supervised evening activities offer time to relax, make friends, and play volleyball on the beach. Activities include:

Visiting a different tidal area each morning at low tide

Learning new ways to collect, identify, and observe marine organisms

Maintaining your own saltwater aquarium for a project on marine organisms of your choosing

Identifying and preserving Pacific Coast seaweeds

Using sampling methods to document population changes of local and introduced marine species and their ecosystems

Facilities include research labs, classrooms, many large aquaria, a computer lab, and a library overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Transportation from the Hall to Bodega Bay, meals, and dormitory-style housing are provided.

Supervised Lunch and Extended Day

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on February 18 for Members, February 25 for the general public.

Supervised Lunch

Supervised lunch hour extends your child’s camp day and enables you to combine a morning and an afternoon camp for a full-day experience. You provide the lunch, and we’ll provide the fun!

12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
$60 per week

Entering grades 1–7 only. No exceptions, please.

Sign up soon!
Weeks of August 1st and August 15th are Full.

Extended Day

The extended day option allows children enrolled in afternoon camps to participate in fun, after-camp activities.

4:00–5:00 p.m.
$60 per weekAll grades

Special Notes

Activities include explorations of Hall exhibits, games, and outdoor activities.

Parents must provide lunch, snacks, and beverages for their children. No peanuts or peanut products, please.

We are not able to accept drop-in campers on a one-day-at-a-time basis in either of the programs. We are unable to prorate any programs; prices for programs during July 4th Holiday week are already prorated.